Dateline … Friday 7 August 2026 (correction!)
ADVISORY NOTE … Edinburgh Folk Club's AGM will take place at the Ukrainian Community Centre at 7pm on Wednesday 16 September 2026 in the Cellar Bar.  All members welcome of course but other interested parties can come along too (but you can't vote).

There'll be a statement about the finances of the club, a reworded constitution will be tabled and the programme of gigs for the new season 2027-2028 will be revealed. 

NB: Tickets are now sale for Airdan's gig our main opening event of the new season (Sept 30) - head to Tickets-Scotland.

However there's also now a very recent addition to the programme - see below.

Edinburgh Folk Club and Leith Folk Club event

 Wednesday 23 September
doors/bar 7:30pm, on-stage 8pm (no support)
 

WINDBORNE

“The most exciting vocal group in a generation”, US quartet Windborne bring breathtaking harmonies, a strong message of working class music and vocal traditions from across the world to Edinburgh for the first time, co-presented by the Edinburgh and Leith Folk Clubs. This will be only the group's second performance in Scotland, following their sold out debut at Celtic Connections last year (2025).

Lauren Breunig, Jeremy Carter-Gordon, Lynn Rowan and Will Rowan have spent more than 20 years studying polyphonic music, developing a remarkable blend that comes from decades of friendship and performance. Singing in several languages, they move effortlessly between musical traditions, taking audiences on a journey across continents and centuries. Their bold, inventive arrangements breathe new life into old songs, from Corsican polyphony to folk songs of protest, social struggle and solidarity.

Along the way they share the fascinating stories behind the music with plenty of warmth, wit and humour.

BBC Scotland's Travelling Folk described Windborne as “ ... subverting expectations and redefining the genre of vocal music ... just absolutely phenomenal!”

Having performed around the world Windborne are renowned not only for their technical brilliance, but for the passion, energy and connection they bring to every performance.

"Sublime and superb ... [Windborne] exhausts superlatives! Intelligent, witty, formally exquisite and brimful of energy." (RnR MAGAZINE)

Windborne combines bold and innovative harmonies, styles from a variety of cultures with traditions of harmony singing and a vocal blend that comes from long-time friendship and years of singing together. They also carry on the alliance of folk music and social activism, breathing new life into songs of change from the past that still ring true in modern times.

“The best musical discovery of the year ... stunningly powerful vocal harmony ... Windborne sets a new bar for folk harmony singing today” (Brian O'Donovan, NPR)

video link ... https://tix.windbornesingers.com/events/windborne/2388456
NB: EFC and LFC have advance tickets on sale at Tickets-Scotland @ £15 ( = £17 inc booking fee plus delivery)
On the door from 7:30pm, tickets will be @ £20 - no booking fee etc

Door / Bar 7:30pm, on-stage 8pm (no support)

EDINBURGH FOLK CLUB
Wednesday 30 September 2026

doors 7:30pm, showtime 8.00pm.
Tickets: £15 (non-members), £12 (members) - from Tickets-Scotland

Ukrainian Community Centre, 14 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AB

Àirdan

Àirdan played first at EFC in 2024 and were an instant hit with a sold-out house.

"Raw energy and a modern young twist" (Celtic Music Radio). Àirdan is an exciting new trad band born from the vibrant pub scene of Edinburgh. Their high energy grooves and dynamic arrangements see melodies and riffs juggled between fiddle (Paul Sinclair), accordion (Coll Williamson), guitar (David Lennon) and drums (Ewa Adamiec). A small madhouse of cultures and influences, this multinational group of musicians first met in 2017 through their shared thirst for Scottish trad music, and joined forces to captivate listeners with their fresh and exciting take on their unique musical heritage.
 

EDINBURGH FOLK CLUB
Wednesday 14 October 2026

doors 7:30pm, showtime 8.00pm.
Tickets: £15 (non-members), £12 (members) - from Tickets Scotland (to be advised)

Ukrainian Community Centre, 14 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AB

Alan Reid and Christine Kydd
Co-founder of Battlefield Band Alan Reid was in the vanguard of the exciting new Scottish folk bands that emerged around 1970 (including Silly Wizard, Tannahill Weavers and Ossian). His groundbreaking keyboard work helped cement the band’s reputation as one of the most innovative and influential folk bands of its generation. As well as driving instrumental sets the
band was noted for fostering songwriting with Brian McNeill, Davy Steele, Karine Polwart and Alan all contributing. His songs have been lauded for being rooted in the Scots tradition, rich in storytelling and strong on melody .

After 40 years, recording almost 30 albums and touring worldwide with the Batties, Alan left in 2010 to concentrate on his duo with Rob van Sante. The pair recorded 5 albums and toured at home and abroad. Since 2020 he has continued to perform solo in the U.K., north America, Europe and Australasia, winning new fans with his songs and engaging stage presence.

'One of Scottish Folk Music’s timeless treasures’, Christine Kydd, multi-award-winning singer and twice-nominated MG AlbaScots Singer of the Year, Christine was inducted in 2018 to the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame. She first appeared in a duo with Janet Russell in the 80s and began exploring groundbreaking harmony work inspired by ‘Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares’ as well as marrying Joni Mitchell guitar tunings with traditional song. Since then she has toured in North America, Europe and beyond and supported major artistes including Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Guy Clark, Richard Thompson, Tannahill Weavers, Capercaillie and Christy Moore, Over the years she has also collaborated with top musicians, some of whom have featured in groups like Jock Tamson’s Bairns, Blazin’ Fiddles, and Shooglenifty.

As respected and loved by fellow musicians as she is by her audiences, Christine’s songs range from traditional Scots songs and ballads to contemporary songs, including her own writing. All are connected by the warmth and humanity of her gorgeous singing, sense of fun, connection with her audience and her love of song.

With years of experience delighting audiences worldwide Alan and Christine bring in this new collaboration a beautifully curated repertoire of old and new songs, irresistible harmonies and a warmth of enjoyment in sharing the stage together.